Diabetes decisions — 2017

The Board denied the claims for increased ratings and TDIU based on diabetes mellitus, finding that the criteria were not met after February 18, 2010. The claim for SMC was also denied.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development regarding his claims of service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II and peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities. The development includes verifying any in-service herbicide exposure outside Vietnam or Okinawa, as well as contact with C-123 aircraft.

The Board has determined that the Veteran did not serve in Vietnam and thus is not entitled to presumptive service connection for diabetes mellitus or COPD based on herbicide agent exposure. The preponderance of evidence does not support a finding of service connection for these conditions.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have prevented him from obtaining or retaining substantially gainful employment throughout the appeal period, except for a brief period when he was assigned a combined disability rating of 100 percent. The effective date for the TDIU is January 16, 2015.

The Veteran is entitled to specially adapted housing due to multiple disabilities, including the loss or loss of use of one lower extremity together with residuals of organic disease or injury that so affect the functions of balance or propulsion as to preclude locomotion without the aid of braces, crutches, canes, or a wheelchair. The special home adaptation grant claim is moot.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's diabetes mellitus was not incurred in or aggravated by service, and denied his claim for service connection.

The Veteran's PTSD warrants a 70 percent rating, but no higher. The Board finds the Veteran entitled to at least a 70 percent rating for his PTSD.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for prostate cancer and diabetes mellitus, both of which are presumed to be related to exposure to contaminated water at Camp Lejeune. The evidence did not establish a current diagnosis or link between these conditions and service.

The Board has granted service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II, and a respiratory disability. The Veteran's current disabilities are considered to be related to the metabolic condition he experienced in service.

The Board denied service connection for multiple chemical sensitivity and diabetes mellitus, type II, both claimed as related to active duty in the Persian Gulf War. The appellant did not have a current diagnosis of multiple chemical sensitivity or a diagnosed blood disorder during her lifetime.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for additional development, including obtaining service personnel records and scheduling VA examinations to determine the nature and etiology of his claimed conditions.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's diabetes mellitus and left knee disability did not manifest during service or within one year of separation, and there is no medical evidence linking these conditions to his military service. The inguinal hernia was found to be noncompensably disabling.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for additional development, including obtaining clarification on his diagnoses and opinions regarding service connection.

The Veteran's claims for service connection were denied for lung disorder, liver disorder, tendonitis, bilateral hearing loss, and diabetes mellitus with erectile dysfunction. The Veteran's PTSD claim was granted.

The Board found that new evidence did not raise a reasonable possibility of substantiating the claims for hepatitis C, acquired psychiatric disorder, eye condition, hypertension, diabetes mellitus type 2, and degenerative arthritis of the left shoulder. The Veteran's claims were denied as there was no evidence showing these conditions were incurred in or aggravated by service.

The Board has decided to remand the case for further development, including scheduling a hearing at the Atlanta RO.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities alone render him in need of regular aid and attendance, warranting the grant of special monthly compensation based on aid and attendance.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for tinnitus, diabetes mellitus, and a disorder manifested by lumps on the back were denied. The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for right lower extremity radiculopathy, left lower extremity radiculopathy, pes planus, rheumatoid arthritis, lumbar spine strain with degenerative changes, and SMC/Total Unemployability (TDIU) were also denied.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain an adequate VA examination and additional development regarding his claims for increased ratings for diabetes mellitus, as well as TDIU.

The Veteran's claims for diabetes mellitus, rhinitis, and maxillary sinusitis were granted with effective dates of September 7, 2005. The Board found that the earlier effective date was warranted due to new service department records received after a final decision.